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I had a fondue recipe I was going to share with you for Valentine’s Day; but, I made it over the weekend and want to tweak it a little, and make perfect. Instead, I am going to share my favorite winter cocktail the Perfect Paloma.

Grapefruits are in season right now, and they are the best they have been in a long time. I love this cocktail as it reminds me of wonderful memories of Palm Springs laying around the pool with our friends Andy and Jeff. They had the perfect grapefruit tree in their yard, which made the most flavorful juice for Palomas. The fruit had a pink fleshy color, was slightly sweet and slightly tart, perfect when mixed with tequila or mezcal.

The Paloma is a Spanish drink and that is where I first enjoyed one. My recipe is completely different as in Spain they used a grapefruit flavored soda mixed with tequilia using it was a Fresca or Squirt and was overly sweet.

What makes this the Perfect Paloma? My opinion, the simplicity of the drink. It isn’t fussy by adding a huge mix of this and that to become something else. I prefer my Perfect Paloma using a smokey mezcal as it adds some depth and mystery to this cocktail. As well, I do not like salt or sugar on the rim; I just want to enjoy the fresh juice mingling with the alcohol. I want to taste the drink. Lastly, I don’t use club soda, instead, I use our Soda Stream and bubble my own water for cocktails.

The perfect cocktail for your most wonderful Valentine to enjoy this week or whenever life gives you an abundance of great grapefruits.

Enjoy.

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Perfect Paloma

** makes one two cocktails

Ingredients:

1/2 cup fresh grapefruit juice

2 ounces mezcal or tequila

squeeze fresh lime juice

splash of club soda

grapefruit wedges for garnish

How To:

Fill two highball glasses with ice.

Evenly divide the grapefruit juice per glass, and add 1 ounces of mezcal to each glass.

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author

Denise

My name is Denise, and I am the Chief Cooking Officer of Chez Us. I confess, I love everything about food; the look, feel, smell and taste. In fact, the first thing on my mind when I crawl out of bed, besides that first cup of coffee, is what we will be sharing at the table later that day.